Kayla Stern is a financial advisor with TIAA-CREF, holding a Series 66 designation and nine years of industry experience. She has worked at TIAA-CREF since 2018 and previously held positions at TD Ameritrade and Scottrade. Outside of financial advising, she owns an Etsy shop specializing in children's clothing. TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC offers financial planning and discretionary managed account programs to individuals, trusts, estates, and small retirement plans, often serving clients with TIAA-administered employer retirement plans. The firm combines point-in-time planning services with ongoing discretionary portfolio management under a fiduciary standard.

James Baugh is a financial advisor with Truist Advisory Services, holding a Series 66 designation and eight years of industry experience. His work history includes roles at Wells Fargo and J.P. Morgan, spanning from 2013 to the present. Truist Advisory Services provides investment consulting, financial planning, portfolio management, and retirement plan services to individuals, corporations, plan sponsors, and charitable organizations. The firm employs a combination of traditional research and AI-enabled tools to support asset allocation, manager selection, and ongoing client reviews.

Christopher Horne is a financial advisor at TIAA-CREF with six years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at TIAA-CREF since 2017, including his current role from 2020. Prior to joining TIAA, he was employed at SABIC for three years. TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC’s Advice & Planning Services division offers financial planning and discretionary managed account programs to individuals, trusts, estates, partnerships, corporate entities, and small retirement plans. The firm serves clients often connected through TIAA-administered employer retirement plans and acts as adviser to a donor-advised fund, utilizing a fiduciary standard within a vertically integrated structure.

Jacob Whitaker is a financial advisor at TIAA-CREF with seven years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has previously worked at Bank of America, Merrill, Waddell and Reed, and Target Corporation. Whitaker also serves as a soldier in the United States Army Reserve. TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC provides financial planning and discretionary managed account programs to individuals, trusts, estates, and small retirement plans, often serving clients with existing TIAA-administered employer retirement plan relationships. The firm offers advisory services that combine one-time financial planning with ongoing portfolio management through model and customized portfolio options.

Samaria Frazier is a financial advisor with TIAA-CREF in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 22 years of industry experience. She has been with TIAA and TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services since 2001. Outside of her advisory role, she owns and manages rental property. TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services provides financial planning and discretionary managed account programs to individuals, trusts, estates, and small retirement plans, often serving clients with existing relationships through TIAA-administered employer retirement plans. The firm also offers referrals to affiliated services and acts as adviser to a donor-advised fund.

Robert Russo is a financial advisor with Independent Advisor Alliance, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and bringing 24 years of industry experience. He has been associated with LPL Financial since 2007. Outside of financial advising, he owns a restaurant called Philly's Phinest (Lee's Hoagie House) and operates a technology business, We Handle Tech, LLC. Independent Advisor Alliance serves a diverse client base including individuals, small businesses, charitable organizations, and retirement plans. The firm offers a range of services such as asset management, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting, implementing portfolio strategies through discretionary and non-discretionary management supported by various analytical techniques and technology platforms.

Thomas Qualls is a financial advisor at TIAA-CREF with a Series 66 designation and one year of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Smurfit Westrock, State Farm, and Americap, as well as various positions connected to educational and recreational organizations. TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC provides financial planning, discretionary managed account programs, and broker-dealer services primarily to individuals with pre-existing relationships through TIAA-administered employer retirement plans, as well as trusts, estates, and other entities. The firm’s advisory model distinguishes between one-time planning services and ongoing discretionary portfolio management.

Thomas Owens III is a financial advisor with First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and 19 years of industry experience. He has been with First Citizens Bank and First Citizens Investor Services since 2011. Owens serves as an officer and director and is a member of the Finance Committee at Deerfield Episcopal Retirement Community, a nonprofit organization. First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. provides advisory and brokerage services to individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and corporate entities. The firm uses fundamental, quantitative, and technical analysis to manage portfolios including equities, fixed income, mutual funds, and ETFs, offering a range of solutions such as model portfolios, wrap programs, and tax-aware services.

Katherine Mazzucco is a financial advisor at TIAA-CREF with eight years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at TIAA and Alight Financial Advisors, LLC. Prior to her advisory roles, she was employed at Branch Banking & Trust Company and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC offers financial planning, discretionary managed account programs, and broker-dealer services primarily to individuals connected with TIAA-administered retirement plans, as well as trusts, estates, and corporate entities. The firm’s advisory model distinguishes between one-time planning services and ongoing portfolio management, utilizing both model and customized investment strategies.

Andrew Bain is a financial advisor at TIAA-CREF with 27 years of industry experience. He has been with TIAA-CREF since 2005 and holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses. TIAA‑CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC provides financial planning and discretionary managed account programs to individuals, trusts, estates, partnerships, corporate entities, and small retirement plans. The firm offers point-in-time planning services alongside ongoing portfolio management, using both model and customized portfolios, and serves as adviser to a donor-advised fund within a vertically integrated investment structure.

Jason Cross is a CFP® professional with 12 years of industry experience, currently serving as an advisor at Corient. His prior work includes roles at Ci Brightworth and CIPW Service Company. Corient provides investment advisory and financial planning services to a diverse client base, including individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, and institutional entities. The firm utilizes a goals-based, team investment approach that combines in-house strategies with third-party managers, employing risk management tools and alternative investments to align portfolios with client objectives.

Michelle Kuzma Kempf is a financial advisor with Hightower Advisors in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and bringing 20 years of industry experience. Her career includes 15 years with Hightower Advisors and Hightower Securities, LLC, following earlier roles at Morgan Stanley from 2006 to 2011. Hightower Advisors provides investment advisory and planning services to individual and institutional clients, offering portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting through a network of Advisor Practices. The firm emphasizes manager selection and multi-manager solutions, utilizing both affiliated and third-party managers, proprietary research, and diverse investment vehicles.

Christine Dixon is a financial advisor with TIAA-CREF in Charlotte, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and 22 years of industry experience. She has been with TIAA-CREF since 2005. TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC offers financial planning and discretionary managed account programs to individuals, trusts, estates, partnerships, corporate entities, and small retirement plans, often serving clients connected to TIAA-administered employer retirement plans. The firm provides both point-in-time planning and ongoing discretionary management, applying a fiduciary standard across its services.

Bert May Jr. is a financial advisor with MAI Capital Management, LLC in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 66 credential and 24 years of industry experience. He has worked at The Leaders Group since 2014 and maintains a long-term role with Learfield Communications, Inc. as a radio analyst for UNC football. MAI Capital Management provides discretionary and non-discretionary investment management, wealth management, retirement plan consulting, and family-office services to a diverse client base including high-net-worth individuals, families, sports professionals, and institutional clients. The firm manages multiple asset classes and investment strategies through in-house and third-party managers, and also serves as adviser to a registered mutual fund and several private investment vehicles.

Michael Cappelletti is a financial advisor with TIAA-CREF, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and seven years of industry experience. His prior roles include five years at LPL Financial LLC and two years at Brighthouse Securities, LLC. Before entering the financial sector, he worked in retail and entrepreneurial ventures. TIAA‑CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC provides financial planning and discretionary managed account programs primarily to individuals connected to TIAA-administered employer retirement plans, as well as various institutional clients. The firm offers both point-in-time planning and ongoing portfolio management with a fiduciary standard applied to its RIA services.

Nicholas Chambers is a financial advisor at TIAA-CREF in Charlotte, NC, holding a Series 66 designation with one year of industry experience. His prior work experience includes roles at Bankers Life, Modern Woodman Fraternal Financial, and Fastenal, among others. Outside of financial services, he was involved with Macs Speed Shop. TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC provides financial planning and discretionary managed account programs primarily to individuals connected with TIAA-administered employer retirement plans, as well as trusts, estates, and small retirement plans. The firm’s advisory approach includes distinct planning services and ongoing discretionary management, utilizing model and customized portfolios within a fiduciary framework.

Matthew Johnson is a financial advisor with Truist Advisory Services in Charlotte, NC. He holds a Series 66 designation and has 12 years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at BB&T Securities, SunTrust Advisory Services, SunTrust Investment Services, and SunTrust Bank. Truist Advisory Services offers investment consulting, financial planning, portfolio management, and retirement plan services to a diverse client base, including individuals, corporations, plan sponsors, participants, and charitable organizations. The firm utilizes a combination of traditional research and AI-enabled tools, partnering with Envestnet platforms, and provides ongoing monitoring and reporting supported by extensive affiliated financial relationships.

Kristina Wicks is a financial advisor at TIAA-CREF with four years of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at TIAA-CREF since 2021. Prior to her current role, she was employed at Rochester Institute of Technology and Binghamton Country Club. TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC’s Advice & Planning Services division offers financial planning and discretionary managed account programs to individuals, trusts, estates, and small retirement plans, often serving clients with existing ties to TIAA-administered employer retirement plans. The firm provides both point-in-time financial planning and ongoing portfolio management, applying a fiduciary standard across its RIA services.

Brandon Phillips is a CFP® professional with 11 years of experience in the financial advisory industry. He has worked at MAI Capital Management, LLC since 2021 and previously spent 12 years at Solamere Advisors. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and is based in Charlotte, NC. MAI Capital Management, LLC provides discretionary and non‑discretionary investment management, integrated wealth management, retirement plan consulting, and family-office services to a diverse client base including high-net-worth individuals, families, sports professionals, trusts, and institutional clients. The firm manages a broad range of investment strategies and offers trust and insurance administration through affiliated entities.

Joel Gardner is a financial advisor at Guardian Life with eight years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and has worked at Park Avenue Securities and Guardian Life Insurance since 2017. Gardner also conducts outside insurance sales focused on fixed health, life, and annuities. Guardian Life, through its subsidiary Park Avenue Securities LLC, provides brokerage and investment advisory services to individuals, retirement plan sponsors, and organizations. The firm offers a range of financial planning and consulting services, combining advisor-led discretionary management with model-based strategies and access to proprietary and third-party investment platforms.